He's gotten good at recognizing good properties.I use the DealMachine app. 

You can see this simply by recognizing that about 30% of single families already show income, in the form of long term rents, and neither those rents nor the NOI are even acknowledged in an appraisal.Not only is the small percentage of STRs (1% of homes currently?) 

I fully recognize the desire to compare investment opportunities (both across markets and asset classes) and choose those with the greatest overall return; however, sometimes I think individuals lose sight of the benefit of real estate as a long-term wealth generator rather than a get rich quick scheme. 

However, the election can allow you to recognize some of those improvements as repairs, so long as they are $2500 or less per line item.So, for example, if you had to replace a countertop and the parts and labor to do the install is $1800, that would *usually* be considered as an improvement. 

If you consistently analyze properties, it will be much easier to recognize a good deal when it shows up.

I recognize that I still have a lot of reading to do prior to taking any action, and welcome the guidance of any members here willing to offer their assistance.

This requires you to recognize what one of those deals looks like... which requires you to be able to properly estimate the rehab on a property... what the roof, the flooring, the holes in the walls, the paint,  the old AC, etc, etc is going to cost so you can know if you even want to put the property under contract.Worst case you can bring a trusted buyer along with you to tour the property with your seller.  

If you consistently analyze properties, it will be much easier to recognize a good deal when it shows up.

Not one “buyer” recognized a great deal, a half price deal, they only saw a negotiation starting point.

That being said, a good advisor will also recognize that real estate seems to be where you are comfortable and experienced.You will know when you have found the right person because they will take the time to get to know you, your goals,  and your current financial picture.